Splice bar for rails



Feb. 28, '1928.

P. J. SEHN ET AL SPLICE BAR FOR RAILS Filed July 21. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l A. 1PM M i hms .PJ. L H .1 m? w mw E d J PA l1 Q FF Feb. 28, 1928.

P. J. SEHN ET AL SPLICE BAR FOR RAILS Filed July 21, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PeTev'J- 521111 Albert E Eehn Edward J. 5231-11-1.

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PETER J. SEEN, nLni-snr P. snrinjanninnwnnn 5i. sEnn, -orj g PENNSYLVANIA. v v I semen BAR ronnAILs.

Application filed July 21,

This invention relates to improvements the rail sections may bevery readily dis-- connected, Without mutilation of parts to anyextent. L

A'further object of this invention the provision of an improved splice connection for rail sections, which is of suchnature as to keep down maintenance expense in so far as rail placement is concerned, and which willalso cut down upkeep on repairs of ro'll-' ing stock, byreason of maintaining the rail sections in true alignment, so that the rolling stock may ride much easier-than with usual rails embodying conventional splice connec-' tions. 1 7

Other objects and advantages of 'this'in vention will be a arent durin the course.

of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corre- I sponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the improved splice connection for rail sections, showing certain parts in section.

Figure 2 is a transverse. sectional View taken substantially on, the line 2-2 of Fig ure' 1, looking at the splice connections from an end thereof.

Figure 3 is a' sectional view taken longitudinally of the splice bar connection for rail sections substantiallyon the line 33 of Figure 1. p p

Figure a is a fragmentary perspective view of details of asp'lice bar of the improved splice connection.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through certain wedge connections of the splice construction, showingtheir relation with respect to the railsections, for

permitting expansion and contraction of the latter.

1927. Serial No. 201396.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through a rail, showing; the assemblage. re-

lation of splice barswith respect'to the rail and with respect to: arail toot plate.-

Figure 7 is atransverse sectional view taken substantially on the line. 7-? of-Eigure 3 showing the relative construction of parts of the intip-roved splice construction, ata wedge connection thereof. w

Figure 8 is a perspective view of wedge parts of a novel wedge construction for-the;

splice arrangement.

Figures 9 and '10 are. transverse sectional," v 7 lines in Figure 7, of the drawings."

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of. illustration is shown but a preferred embodiment of this invention, the letter A. m

views takensubstantially on their respective generally designate the improved' splice con str-uct-ionfor rail j'oints, for the holding of rail seotions'B and C in a connected jointed alignment. The improved. splice construction A includes the splice bars D and'E', at opposite sides of the rail sections B and C, having a plurality of improved devices F, Preferablyof a we'dging nature, transversely extending through. the rail sections B and G maintain the splice bars Djan-d. E in assembled relation for connecting the rail sections B and O; the improved splice construction A furthermore including a footpla-te G in a cooperative rail connectingand aligning-association with the splice bars D and E. and the rail sections'B and C.

The rail sections B and Care of the usual construction, including thereduced web portion 20, on the top of which the mu. ball' or head 21 is formed, with base flanges 22 and 23 therebelow, of conventional standard cross section. In thesplice connectedwebs of the rails B and C, it is preferred to proj vide round or'circular openings 25., in any approved number, although it is thought that but two of said openings 25 will be suflicient for each rail section B and C. v Thefootplate G includes a plate body,

7 27*, on which the rail flanges 22 and 23 rest, the, same providing 'afiat top surface 28'? for receivingtheflat bottom. surface of the rail sections ,B and 5C, as'illustrated in the gins of'the rail foot G, itis preferred provide integral upwardly converging flanges drawings. jAt the outer longitudinal marno Y the rail'flanges may befreely slipped into the spaces between the flanges 27 and 28 and the foot body 27 In fact, while theouter edges of the rail flanges 22 and 23 slide against the junctures of the foot flanges 27 and 28' of the foot body 27, above the flanges 22 and 23 there is sufficient space topermit easy sliding of therail sections into place 7' yin the foot G, as canreadily be understood.

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The foot flanges 27' and 28 converge upwardlyin such relation that when therail 'fianges' are received therein there willbe spaces 30 and 31 provided beneath the flanges 27' and 28 respectively and the top V subsequently described.

surfaces of the rail base'fianges 22 and 23, as is illustrated in Figures 2, 6 and 7 of the drawings. The rail foot flanges 27 and 28 do not extendtothe 'web'20 of the rail, but there is suflicient space between the upper free edges ofthe foot flanges 27 and "28 and the facing sides of the web '20, to receivethe splice bars D and E, in a relation to be The splice bars D and E are of the same construct-ion, each including a preferably flat elongatedgbody,40, which at the inner surface thereofis grooved at 41, so that only the upper and lower longitudinal portions 7 of the-inner side of: the splice bar may abut against the facing surface of the rail web 20, as is apparent from" Figure 7 of the drawings, and in the usualconstruction for splice bars. The upper edges of the splice bars D and E, slope downwardly at 44 from the outer sides 45 of said splice bars to the inner sides thereof, adapted to fit into a conforming abutting engagement with the under sloping surface 45 ,of the rail ball 21. Atthe lower longitudinal margins of the splice bars D and E, each of the same is preferably provided with a wedge foot '46,

' extending transversely to thepl-ane of the respective splice bar, beyond the outer side 45 of'said splice bar. These wedge feet 46 for the splice bars D and E, have upper'sur-i faces 47, located in a transverse plane with respect to the plane of the outer side 45 of the splice bar, and in an angular relation with respect to the splicebar outer side 45,

angular relation with respect to the surface 49,'inclining to an intersecting relation with the surface 47 to provide a chisel edge 51, at

the free end or-edge' of the said splice, bar

foot or flange 46;

Eachof the splice-bars D and E is pro "vided'transversely therethrough with a plurality of openings, preferably four in number, two of which openln'gs are adapted to receive theconnecting devices F for each rail of the rail andsplice bars.

theopenings have a substantially polygonal shaped appearance; the intention be ing to providean opening ha ing at least one, and preferably four flat sides, against which an abutting flat side of the wedge w device F is adapted to engage,-.to prevent relativerotation of the latter in the opening of the wedge plates, and to insure of the absolutely guided wedge movement of'the. wedge devices F with respect to the rail and splice bars. I v

Longitudinally at the outer side'of each of the splice bars D and E, it is preferred to provide a recess, on a line above theopening 55, the recess providing a sloping surface lnclined from the plane of the outer face of the splice bar nwardly towards the openings 55 and terminating in intersecting relation with said openings 55; it being intended that f certain wedge surfacesof the wedge devices F shall operate against the sloping surfaces 60, in a relation to be subsequently described. I a I 7 As to the wedge construction F, the s nne includes a mainwedge body 65, and a wedge key '66, which are cooperative and coinplementary, for fitting transversely through aligning openings 55 of the splice bars D and E and through an opening 25 of the rail web 20. I i

The main wedge body at the ends thereof is provided with transverse right angled preferably upstanding lugs 67 and 68, the lug 68 having a convex top surface 70 in order to permit the entry of the wedge key 66 from the lug end 68 thru the openings The lug 67 on the other/end is of polygonal formation, having flat side and top surfaces aidis. thus distinguished from the lug end 68, Thebody 65 between the lugs 67 and 68 isprovided with an intermediate portion 70, hav-- ing a convex surface which is complementary with an intermediateportion 71' of the wedge key 66, in providing a cylinder. Between the intermediate portion 70 and the'lugs 67 and 68 are respectively provided portions 73 and 74,-adap ted to seat in the openi s 55' of'the splice bars D and E, whereas the intermediateportion is adapted to seat in the rail'web opening 25. The portions 73 and 74 have top and'side flat surfaces adapted to engage in abutting relation against the top and side flat surfaces of the splice bar openings 55,'as canfreadily be understood from Figures 9 and'lO of the drawings, prevent relative rotation of the wedge device F' in thevsplice bars. vThe sloping surface 75 at the bottom of the wedge body 65,

slopes from the lug end 68 downwardly to 13:1"

the lug end 67, so that the part 65 increases "1-11 thickness therealong' from the lug end 68 to the lug end 67.

The wedge key 66 complementary with the wed e bod f 65., as aboveinentioned the O v V 7 wedge key 66 being relatively longer than .the wedge body 65, and having the portion 71 wh ig lfprewides a lower con-vex surface for fitting 1n the circularopening 25 ofthc rail web '20, and the ends of the said wedge key" 66 beyond this portion at the opposite :sides of this portion 7lhave lower and side fiat surfaces of a nature to fit, in abutment against the flat surfaces of openings 55in the relation illustrated Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.- It 18 to be noted thaltithe top surface 80 of the wedge "key -66 is fiat throughout the length of the wedge key 66,

the splice bars D and E are then applied across the oint, at opposite sidesof said rail sections B andC, first in the position illustrated in Figure 6-, showing that the feet 46 having a sort of hinge or wedge action at the free edges of the retaining flanges 27 and 28, WV-1'5l1 the said splice bar flanges 46 entering the spaces BOand 31- between the retaining nanges 27 and 28 and'the tops of the rail flanges 22 and 23. It is readily apparent that incident to the tapered edges of the flanges 46, the same maybe readily assembled into "the spaces SOand '81, as illustrated in Figures 6' and 7, and upon forced movement the splice bars D and E in'ay' be moved with their inner sides against the :opposite sides of the rail webs 20, and in this position of parts the top surfaces of the splice bar feet or flanges d6 rest in abuttingeng: -c-inent with the under surfaces of the retaining' flanges 27 and 28, the'bo'ttorn surfaces 49v of the splice bars D and E abut up on the top surfaces of the rail base flanges 22 and 23, and the sloping'top surfaces iof the splice bars engage in abutting relation with the under surfaces ofthe rail ;ball 21. In this fPOSltlOIl of parts the wedging 'ofthe flan es 46 of the-splice bars of course force 'the'ra1l bases firmly into the bottom of the seat G, and as the splice bars are held against vertical movement between the rail base flanges and the ball of the rail, there can be absolutely no relative movement: vertically of any parts of the connected splice construction on the rails. Either during this assemblage of the parts, or after the splice bars have been assembled -to'the above positions position s,the:sections 65:and 66 of ithe wedge UODSiII UCl lUII-F are Ethen placed 111 aligning openin 's 55 and of1thes'phce :bar and rail Web respectively. Thewedge body 65 the wedge construction F is first assembled by entering the rounded lug end 68 thereof thin the aligning openings and 25, until the lugs 67 and 68 are atopposite sides of the splice bars I) and E. 5 From the opposite side the wedge hey 6611s inserted vbeneath the wedge body '65," thru the aligning openings and 25, and driven intoplacebcneath the wedge body 65, forcingithe latter 'upwardly until the lugs 67 and 68 ride on their taperedrelaitively upwardly diverging facing surfaces 80, against the sloping surfaces '60 at the outer sides of the splice'bars;' the riding upwardly of the surfaces.:80 of the wedge lugs 67 rand'68 againstthe upwardlydiverging. surfaces 0f the splice bars D and E, causes a wedge inovement on the "so i splice bars D and E,causing them to move together into a firmly seating relation against the web '20 of the rail sections, and in the above described, and illustrated in Figure7. o

VVhen the'wedge key 66 has been firmly driven into place, it is to be noted that the pointed tapered end 85 thereof projects beyond the outer surface of the lugen-d 67 of the respective wedge body 65, and since it is preferred that the end 85 may bend without fracturing,-the same is then bent trans-v 'ersely to the axis of the clamping "constructtion F, against the outer surface of'the lug 67, to hold the wedge 66 in position, against loosening,as can readily be understood from t'hedr'awings. Y

In the above described assembled relation of the parts of the wedge construction-F,

itis to be noted that the intermediate port-ions 70 and 71 of the wedge 'body'and wedge key 65 and 66- respectively lie in the webopening 25 of the rail section, but the portions of the wedge parts 65 and 66 which enter the splice 'bar openings 55 seat in snug; abutment therein, in a keyed non-rotatable relation, as can readily be understood from Figures '9 and 10 of the drawings.

' he fact that'the openings 25 in the rail section web 20 are considerably larger than the cross sectional diameter of the wedge construction F enteringthe openings 25, en-

ables longitudinal expansion and contraction of the rail sections B and C, uIn Figure 5 is illustrated the pos tion of the rail sections B and C during a longitudinal contracted -po-,

sition of said rail sections, so that .a space is provided between the facing ends of the rail sections atthe splice connection thereof, and it is readily apparent that the rail sections B and C may expand longitudinally from the position of parts illustrated in Figure '5, without stra'infon the wedge .01" bolt construction F, due to the loose fitting thereof in the openings 25, which provides proper clearance for-the closing of the joint space 90 when the' sections expand longitudinally. v 1

From the foregoing description of this invention it is apparent that a novel splice construction for rail sections has been provided, embodying features that will maintain the rails ina permanent and eflicient alignment against liability of sag or loose fit ting, thus increasing the safety factor and reducing maintenance expenses.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made in the formof invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims. We claim:

1. In combination with rail sections each including a ball head, a web, and lateral base flanges, a shoe including a body plate on which the rail base flanges are adapted to seat, said'shoe including retaining flanges overhanging the body plate in spaced relation to, receive therebeneath the rail base flanges so as to provide spaces at opposite sides of the rail between the rail base flanges 7 against the rail web and of a height to wedge at. theqtop and bottom edges thereof under i no the ball headof the rail and on the top surface of the base flange,said splice bars including lower transverse feet extending partially into the spaces and in wedging relation between the free marginal portions of the retaining flanges of the rail receiving shoe and the rail base flanges, said splice bars and rail web having transverse aligning openings therein, and means extending through said openings and abutting at the opposite sides of the splice bars for holding the splice bars firmly clamped in position against the opposite sides of'said rail web and between the ball head and base flanges of said rail.

2. As an article of manufacture a splice bar including a body plate provided with transverse openings:therethrough, said body fplate longitudinally at the loweredge thereof, having a transverse foot extending beyond the plane of the outer surface thereof, said foot having faces in acute angular rela'tion tapering to an edge located above the bottom of the foot.

3. As an article of manufacture'a splice bar for connecting rail sections comprising a splice bar body having transverse openings. ll'ieretln'ough, saidsphce body at' the outer side thereof being grooved to provide a sloping surface acute to the plane of the outer side, inclining from the outer side towards the inner side to an intersecting relation with said openings.

4. In a splice bar construction for rail joints the combination of a pair of splice bars.

having aligning openings therein, and wedge 7 means extending through said aligningopenmgs for holding thespllce bars together agalnst relat ve movement away from each other. v

5. In a splice bar construction the combination wlth a rail having a web provided with openings therethrough, splice bars at opposite sides of the rail web having openin'gsotherethrough, 1n aligning relation w th the openings of the rail web, and connecting members for holding the splice bars on the tionwith the Web openings, and wedge constructions assembled in said aligning opnings of the splice bars and web, said wedge constructions including a main portion and a key portion having abutting sliding surfaces inclined in acute angular relation with respect to the axes of said aligning openings, said wedge body having transverse lugs thereon for engaging the outer surfaces of said splice barswhen the key member of said splice construction is driven to a forced fit in the aligning openings against said wedge body. I V I V 7. In a splice bar construction for rails the combination of a rail having a web with an opening therethrough, splice bars at opposite sides of the rail web having openings aligning with the opening of the rail web, a member extending through said aligning openings, of the splice bars and rail web, said member having transverse lugs on the outer ends thereof abutting against the outer surfaces of the splicebars, and wedge means cooperating with said member in said'openings for forcing the lugs into firm abutment with the outer sides of said splice bars posite sides of the rail web having openings ali nin with the o enin of the rail web a t1 3 b 7 member extending through said aligning openings of the splice bars and rail web, said member having transverse lugs on the outer ends thereof abutt ng agamst the outer surfaces of the splice bars, wedge 7 means cooperating with said member in said openingsforforcing the lugs into firm abutment with'the outer sides of said splice bars, said lugs of the member having facing surfaces-tapered in an outwardly .diverging relation. a v

9. In a joint for connecting'rail sections the combmatlon of rail sectlons having Webs with openings therethrough, splice barsat opposite sides of the rail web having openings aligning'with'the openings of the rail web, a wedge member through the series of aligning openings having transverse lugs at theends thereof abuttlng with the outer surfaces of the 7 splice bars, and a wedge key forced through said aligning openings into engagement with the wedge member to force the latter into a splice bar securing relation, the wedge key having a flexible end which may be bent into securing relation over an outer side of ,one of the lugs of said wedge member to maintain the key in position.

' 10. In combination with rail sections having webs with transverse openings therethrough, splice bars at opposite sides'of the webs of the rail sections having openings aligning with the openings of the rail section webs, and complementary wedge parts through each series of aligning openingsv of 'the splice bars and webs, said complementary Wedge parts at the sections thereof extending through the openings of the rail webs and beingreduced and loosely fitting" in the'openings of said rail webs, and the portions of said complementary wedge parts which fit 1n said splice bars having a snug non-rotatable engagement therein, one of said complementary wedge parts having means at the outer sides of said splice barsfor engagement on the splice bars to hold them clamped firmly together against the webs of the rails. I

11. As an article of manufacture a wedge device for holding splice bars on rails consisting of a wedge body having transversely extending splice bar abutting lugs at the ends thereof, and a complementary Wedge key cooperative with the Wedge body, said 7 key and wedge body having engageable I wedge extending surfaces sloping in-acute angled relation.

with res ect to the longitudinal axis of the evice. V a 12. As an article of manufacture a'wedge device for holding splice bars on rails consisting of awedge body having transversely extending'splice' bar abutting lugs at the ends thereof, a complementary wedge key cooperative with the wedge body, said key device for holding splice bars onvrails consisting of a wedge body having transversely extending splice bar abutting lugs at the ends thereof, a complementary wedge key 1 cooperative with the wedgebody, said key and wedge body having 'engageable surfaces sloping in acute angledrelation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wedge device, one of said lugs having a rounded convex top surface, said wedge parts at the intermediate cross section thereof being of cylindrical formation, and between the intermediate section and saidlugs having cross sectlons with at least one flat slde, I

14. In a wedge construction of the class described the combination of complemen-t tary wedge parts', one of the parts having transversely extending lugs at the ends thereof, the other part being longer than the part upon which said lugs are formed and having an end which may befiexibly bent upwardly into engagement at the outer side of one of said lugs. I

PETER J. SEHN. 'ALBERTP. SEHN. EDWARD J; SEHN, 

